Throne Room Worship
Rev 4 & 5
Introduction
Matt Proctor, President of Ozark Christian College, did a devotional study of Revelation called, “Victorious.” Shares this little story when approaching the passage we are looking at today – Rev 4 & 5 Maybe some of you have memories like this as a parent or a child - or maybe it described this morning:
“My wife and I have six kids. Can I tell you what Sunday mornings are like at my house? I’d like to tell you they are a time of joy and focused preparation. I’d like to tell you what I wake up at 5:30 a.m. with a smile on my face, roll over to kiss my wife (with minty fresh breath) and say, “Good morning, dear. It is the Lord’s Day. Let us arise and worship!” I’d like to say that I hop out of bed, do 100 pushups and then (barely winded), I walk into the bathroom to comb my hair. But lo, it has not moved during the night.
I’d like to tell you that I put on my three-piece suit and go to the kitchen where my wife and I squeeze oranges to make homemade orange juice as we recite memory verses to one another. I’d like to tell you that my six children - ages 19,17,14,11,9, and 5 - all walk into the kitchen, having dressed themselves, and say with smiles upon their faces, “Good morning, mother. Good morning, father. It is the Lord’s Day. Let us arise and worship!” I’d like to tell you that we then get into the van and drive the 15 minutes to church, singing together as a family “How Great Thou Art.” But that all would be a big fat lie.
Sunday mornings at my house are crazy! Rush and hustle, and no matter how early we get up, it seems we’re always running late. I hate running late! Since I’m being honest, I’ll tell you: I can start to lose my cool with my kids. I’m hurriedly slapping the cold cereal into their breakfast bowls, milk spilling on the table, and I find myself barking orders at them with ever increasing volume:
“You, hurry up and eat!” “You, go get your clothes on!” “You, stop crying!”
“You, stop hitting your sister!” “Yes, you have to wear clothes to church!”
“You, go get your Bible!” “You, go comb your hair!”
“Come on kids, CHOP, CHOP! Let’s GO! We’re LATE! I need you to get out in the van RIGHT NOW! Hurry UP! NOW! WE’VE GOT TO GO TO CHURCH AND LEARN ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD!”
Does that bring back any type of memories for you or is Matt Proctor the only one who has Sunday mornings like that? Maybe you have been there. It is easy to be distracted in preparing for worship, it’s easy to be distracted during worship by family issues or work problems or financial issues or even a misspelled word on the PowerPoint slide.
Last week we concluded our look at the 7 churches of Revelation. They had their problems. They had their distractions. But for them, worship was not simply a hassle to get ready for, it was potentially dangerous. They weren’t going to worship with elevated blood pressure because of the stress of getting ready for church, they walked in wondering how to protect themselves and their children from persecution from the Roman government and the local authorities.
Is it any wonder that right after John addresses the 7 churches that the angel then focuses on worship. They needed to be reminded of what it was all about.
Today we are living in the middle of what some Bible scholars have called the “already and not yet”. We have already seen the work of God and His blessings but we have not yet experienced everything that He promises.
What are we to be doing while waiting? John said to the to the church at Ephesus and to the church at Anchor he said - “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life.” (Rev 2:10). Revelation moves from a message to the churches into the sanctuary of worship. In Revelation 4 - 5 we find what is called the throne room scene. I want us to look at those two chapters today and discover what I call “Whole Hearted” worship.
Wholehearted Worship is Man’s Response to God Chapter 4
A. Definition of worship
1. Andrew Blackwood, in his book, The Fine Art of Public Worship, defines it this way:
a. “Worship is man’s response to God’s revelation of himself. In a high sense worship includes both the revelation and the response.”
b. That definition is especially relevant here in Revelation. God is revealing himself to man through the apostle John. In that “revelation” we see a heavenly glimpse of worship.
2. Worship is not something we do in and of ourselves, it is something that is given in response to the majesty, power, and wonder of God.
3. As I read Rev 4 listen and visualize the majesty, power, and wonder of God, then watch for the response to who He is.
Read Rev 4 1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
The voice is the voice of an angel. The angel is inviting John to church.
John then tries to express in human terms of what he is seeing as a heavenly vision. He will describe creatures and events. Look at the big picture that is presented – that is key to understanding the symbolism in the rest of the book.
2. At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
A throne – a symbol of power and authority
3. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
4. Surrounding the throne were twenty‑four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty‑four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
A picture of beauty and majesty.
Some say the 24 thrones represent the 12 tribes of the O.T. and the 12 apostles of the N.T.
5. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
Picture of power and majesty – have you ever stood in awe
Picture of perfection, completion – the number 7 - power and purity
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was
covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,
Some say the four living creatures represent all categories of creation. All of creation worships the one on the throne.
10. the twenty‑four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever.
They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
4. In the presence of God revealing himself in heaven, the response was to bow down in worship and proclaim Him "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
5. Christ has revealed to us that He is coming again. When we come face to face with that fact and know who He is, we cannot help but to respond to Him in worship.
II. Wholehearted Worship Opens Our Eyes to Who He Is
A. Who are we suppose to worship was a crucial question in the days in which John wrote Revelation.
1. When John wrote Revelation Roman emperor worship was a real issue.
2. In the opening chapters of Revelation, God wanted to show clearly who was to be the central focus of worship.
3. Read Revelation 5:1 – 9
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.
Old Testament imagery of Christ – there is a lot of O. T. imagery in Revelation. The “Lion of the tribe of Judah” and the “Root of David” were key OT phrases that identified the coming Messiah, Jesus. Then it goes on to clearly connect the OT phrases with Jesus and the future.
He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
The lamb, looking as if it had been slain – Jesus. The 7 horns and 7 eyes – the completion, perfection of the lamb.
7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty‑four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
The scrolls which are sealed are the message God has to give to His people. They are to reveal a message that all need to hear.
A. So John establishes early in his writing who is worthy of worship. - the lamb that was slain.
1. No one else in heaven or earth was found worthy to take the scrolls - representing the message and the power and authority of Christ.
2. This is all done to contrast what those early Christians were facing when it came to who they were to worship.
B. We need to understand Roman Emperor Worship – not just for this chapter but for the rest of the book.
1. In the days of the early church the establishment of emperor worship brought political and religious issues to the forefront.
2. The Christians had to decide if they wanted to be loyal to the emperor or loyal to God.
3. The deification of emperors began with Alexander the Great and was exercised to its fullest through the Roman emperors.
a. Julius Ceasar was praised as “a god manifest and the savior of the whole human race.”
b. The first two centuries A.D. had three emperors who proclaimed themselves divine: Gaius (37 - 41), Nero (54 - 68), Domitian (81 - 96).
(1) Gauis had his sister deified and eventually came to believe in his own diety. He required worship from those in his court. He had a temple erected to himself at Rome.
(2) Nero had his image put on coins declaring himself God. He also persecuted Christians is severe ways.
(3) Domitian was declared “Master and God” as early as 89 A.D. and oaths of loyalty were required by his subjects.
(4) Those who rejected the emperor worship were suspected of being a traitor.
b. A Roman governor by the name of Pliny sends a letter to the Emperor Trajan around 112 AD, sharing with the emperor how he was handling Christians: “I have taken this course about those who have been brought before me as Christians. I asked them whether they were Christians or not? If they confessed that they were Christians, I asked them again, and a third time, intermixing threatenings with the questions. If they persevered in their confession, I ordered them to be executed; This is what he said about others: There were those who denied that they were Christians now, or ever had been. They called upon the gods, and worshipped your image, which I had brought in for that purpose
4. The reality of this shows why it was important to establish who is worthy of worship in the message of Revelation.
5. The message of John sees is that Jesus was the only one to receive worship, honor and glory.
Transition – Why is worship so important?
III. Wholehearted Worship Centers Us
A. Centers Us
1. The apostle John saw and shared what the people need to know – God is still on the throne.
2. When life seems filled with uncertainties, we need a center, an anchor, a firm and fixed point from which we can navigate.
a. For sailors for generations, it has been the North Star.
For musicians, it’s middle C
b. For the Christian – it is the lamb upon the throne.
3. The throne is key – 14 times in chapter 4. 46 times in the book of Revelation
B. He must become our center because:
1. Because He is the creator and sustainer of the universe
a. 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
2. Because He is the one who had been prophesied from the beginning of time
a. 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
3. Because He paid the price for us
a. 5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Conclusion
Yes, wholehearted worship is something you and I need to do every week. Are you willing to open the door to Him?
I have heard people say,
It is possible to worship God while driving along the highway
It is possible to worship God while sitting in a baseball park.
It is possible to worship God while out on my boat
It is possible to worship God on the golf course.
My response – yes, it is possible - but if we raise the questions of statistical probability, the worship of God is scarcely as frequent in those places as it is in a gathering of His people, called the church.
There is the story of the father who said, “Come on, we can sing hymns on the beach,” to which the little girl replied, “But we won’t, will we?”
Where are you at when it comes to worship. Jesus on the center of the throne or have you replaced Him with something else.
Throne Room Worship Study Guide
Rev 4 & 5
Introduction
Matt Proctor gives his idealistic and realistic scenario of Sunday morning at his house. What are some challenges and blessings that you experience on a Sunday morning?
What were some things that the early Christians faced when it came to worship?
What are we to be doing while waiting for Jesus’ return? - Rev 2:10
I. Wholehearted Worship is ___________ ____________________ to God Chapter 4
A. Definition of worship
Andrew Blackwood, defines it this way: “Worship is man’s response to God’s revelation of himself. In a high sense worship includes both the revelation and the response.”
What is your definition of worship?
B. Notes on the text
1. 4:1 – The door is open
2. 4:2,3 – What is pictured?
3. 4:5-10 – Heavenly beings worship before the throne
4. 4:11 – There is one who is worthy
Christ has revealed to us that He is coming again. When we come face to face with that fact and know who He is, we cannot help but to respond to Him in worship.
II. Wholehearted Worship _____________ _________ _____________ to Who He Is
A. Who are we to worship was a crucial question in the days in which John wrote Revelation.
1. What was one of the challenges Christians faced when it came to the emperor and worship?
2. In the opening chapters of Revelation, God wanted to show clearly who was to be the central focus of worship.
3. Read Revelation 5:1 – 9
a. What is the Old Testament imagery used and who did it point to?
b. Who is the “Lamb that was slain?”
c. What do the scrolls contain?
B. We need to understand Roman Emperor Worship – not just for this chapter but for the rest of the book.
1. The Christians had to decide if they wanted to be loyal to the emperor or loyal to God.
2. The deification of emperors began with Alexander the Great and was exercised to its fullest through the Roman emperors.
3. Pliny’s letter to the Emperor Trajan described how he dealt with Christians. Was the Emperor favorable or unfavorable towards Christians?
4. The reality of emperor worship shows why it was important to establish who is worthy of worship in the message of Revelation.
5. What are some types of persecution going on against Christians in the world today?
III. Wholehearted Worship ___________________ Us
A. When life seems filled with uncertainties, we need a center, an anchor, a firm and fixed point from which we can navigate.
1. For sailors for generations, it has been the _____________ __________.
2. For musicians, it’s middle _____
3. For the Christian – it is __________________
B. He must become our center:
1. Because He is the creator and sustainer of the universe
4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
2. Because He is the one who had been prophesied from the beginning of time
5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
3. Because He paid the price for us
5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Conclusion
Wholehearted worship is something you and I need to do every week.
Where are you at when it comes to worship. Is Jesus on the center of the throne or have you replaced Him with something else?